Janice Hahn goes to Congress. President Obama says no budget, no Social Security checks. Why does Sheriff Lee Baca want to be responsible for LA County’s parolees? Netflix raises prices. Reality TV polygamist sparks legal battle.
Janice Hahn goes to Congress
The hotly contested special election to fill Jane Harman’s south bay congressional seat has been won by Democrat Janice Hahn. Unofficial returns show Hahn holding a 54.6% to 45.4% lead over Republican challenger and local businessman Craig Huey. Huey spent more than $800,000 of his own money on his campaign, but ultimately lost in the Democrat-majority south bay district despite rallying the “tea party” contingent to run a strong campaign against Hahn. The election was marked by stark ideological differences, personal attacks and national attention and the unexpected death of Hahn’s mother on Monday. Harman gave up the seat in February, precipitating a special election and runoff contest between Hahn and Huey. What does the heated nature of the election say about our current political climate? Will this race be a harbinger of the 2012 election?
Guest:
Janice Hahn, Los Angeles City Councilwoman and newly elected congresswoman from the 36th District
President Obama says Social Security checks are at risk
With the debt ceiling deadline coming up fast, President Barack Obama is being asked what the practical fall-out could be on August 3 without a deal. In a CBS interview Tuesday night, the President warned that recipients expecting social security checks could be left empty handed. Social security recipients aren't alone on that. Military payroll, veterans’ checks and all government-issued payments could be at risk. Meanwhile, Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell today proposed a new method of raising the debt ceiling. It's a complicated to-and-fro of requests from the President to Congress that would stop the status quo of tense negotiations. AirTalk has a lot of questions on this. How much cash flow would the Department of Treasury have to make payments? Which payments are the top priorities, and who would have to suffer with IOU's? How surprised were you to hear the President's statement about what could happen on August 3? Does it alter your thinking about the debt ceiling debacle?
Guests:
Andrew Fieldhouse, Federal Budget Policy Analyst, Economic Policy Institute
David Mark, Senior Editor, Politico.com; Author of Going Dirty: The Art of Negative Campaigning
Why does Sheriff Lee Baca want to be responsible for LA County’s parolees?
In a move that critics are calling a huge power grab, Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca is proposing that his department, not the office of probation, becomes responsible for all parolees in the county. This unprecedented proposal is being considered by the LA County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday and would, according to Sheriff Baca, provide offenders with a continuity of rehabilitation services from their entry into the county jails through the post-release phase. In the past, all parolees who are released from state prison are assigned to the supervision of state parole agents. As a part of the state’s effort to ease prison overcrowding, thousands of new parolees will be coming to Los Angeles County and the Board of Supervisors must assign them to either the Department of Probation or the Sheriff’s Department by August 1. With the parolees comes state funding and critics suggest that the Sheriff’s proposal to oversee new parolees is financially motivated.
Guest:
Donald Blevins, Chief Probation Officer for the Los Angeles County Probation Department
Lee Baca, Los Angeles County Sheriff
Netflix says, "Be kind, pay more"
Netflix Inc., the company which has led the charge of video subscription services through online streaming and mailing DVDs, is drastically changing its pricing structure. In some cases, subscription rates will jump 60%, an unprecedented increase by the country’s largest company in this field. Formerly, Netflix allowed users to stream as many movies online as they wanted and rent one DVD at a time for $9.99 a month. However, now if subscribers want both options of streaming and rental, they will have to pay $15.98 a month, or choose just one at $7.99 a month. Reactions online to this news have been overwhelmingly negative. After all, the price hike would affect approximately 80% of those who currently use Netflix. User complaints range from the lack of a comprehensive online database to the fact that some DVDs are not available until about a month after their release date. Subscribers feel that this situation, coupled with the fact that an increase in price does not come with an increase in content or service, is not enough reason to keep paying for Netflix’s services. Studio executives, on the other hand, are pleased with the news, as this means more compensation for their content. How will this change affect Netflix’s finances? What other companies could benefit? Will you keep your Netflix subscription?
Guests:
Scott Stein, Senior Editor for CNET
Daniel Indiviglio, Associate Editor at The Atlantic, wrote the article “7 Reasons Why Netflix’s Price Hike is a Bonehead Move”
Reality TV polygamist sparks legal battle
Kody Brown might be one of the most famous polygamists in the country. As one of the stars of the show Sister Wives, he, his four wives and their sixteen children and stepchildren have been featured prominently on TVs across America. Now, Utah state officials are saying the family is under investigation for violating state polygamy laws. In response, the Browns, along with law professor Jonathan Turley, plan on filing a lawsuit to challenge the law. They contend that making polygamy illegal violates the 14th Amendment’s due process and equal protection clauses and the First Amendment’s clauses of free exercise, establishment, free speech and freedom of association. They build their case on the decision of Lawrence v. Texas, which took down sodomy laws and is often used as a legal basis for support of same-sex marriage. Browns and others like them feel that polygamous unions should be allowed for consenting adults. Opponents fear that allowing multiple marriages could have a profound negative effect on the raising of children, spousal relations and would require a complete restructuring of family law. Is polygamy too outdated for the modern age? Can adults be trusted to live as they desire? How would a change in marriage structure affect society and public policy?
Guests:
Lisa McElroy associate professor of Law, Drexel Universities Earle Mack School of Law; writes the Plain English column at SCOTUSblog.com
Bruce Fein, Constitutional Scholar; Former Associate Deputy Attorney General under Reagan; President of the American Freedom Agenda and author of American Empire: Before the Fall
Janice Hahn goes to Congress
The hotly contested special election to fill Jane Harman’s south bay congressional seat has been won by Democrat Janice Hahn. Unofficial returns show Hahn holding a 54.6% to 45.4% lead over Republican challenger and local businessman Craig Huey. Huey spent more than $800,000 of his own money on his campaign, but ultimately lost in the Democrat-majority south bay district despite rallying the “tea party” contingent to run a strong campaign against Hahn. The election was marked by stark ideological differences, personal attacks and national attention and the unexpected death of Hahn’s mother on Monday. Harman gave up the seat in February, precipitating a special election and runoff contest between Hahn and Huey. What does the heated nature of the election say about our current political climate? Will this race be a harbinger of the 2012 election?
Guest:
Janice Hahn, Los Angeles City Councilwoman and newly elected congresswoman from the 36th District
President Obama says Social Security checks are at risk
With the debt ceiling deadline coming up fast, President Barack Obama is being asked what the practical fall-out could be on August 3 without a deal. In a CBS interview Tuesday night, the President warned that recipients expecting social security checks could be left empty handed. Social security recipients aren't alone on that. Military payroll, veterans’ checks and all government-issued payments could be at risk. Meanwhile, Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell today proposed a new method of raising the debt ceiling. It's a complicated to-and-fro of requests from the President to Congress that would stop the status quo of tense negotiations. AirTalk has a lot of questions on this. How much cash flow would the Department of Treasury have to make payments? Which payments are the top priorities, and who would have to suffer with IOU's? How surprised were you to hear the President's statement about what could happen on August 3? Does it alter your thinking about the debt ceiling debacle?
Guests:
Andrew Fieldhouse, Federal Budget Policy Analyst, Economic Policy Institute
David Mark, Senior Editor, Politico.com; Author of Going Dirty: The Art of Negative Campaigning
Why does Sheriff Lee Baca want to be responsible for LA County’s parolees?
In a move that critics are calling a huge power grab, Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca is proposing that his department, not the office of probation, becomes responsible for all parolees in the county. This unprecedented proposal is being considered by the LA County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday and would, according to Sheriff Baca, provide offenders with a continuity of rehabilitation services from their entry into the county jails through the post-release phase. In the past, all parolees who are released from state prison are assigned to the supervision of state parole agents. As a part of the state’s effort to ease prison overcrowding, thousands of new parolees will be coming to Los Angeles County and the Board of Supervisors must assign them to either the Department of Probation or the Sheriff’s Department by August 1. With the parolees comes state funding and critics suggest that the Sheriff’s proposal to oversee new parolees is financially motivated.
Guest:
Donald Blevins, Chief Probation Officer for the Los Angeles County Probation Department
Lee Baca, Los Angeles County Sheriff
Netflix says, "Be kind, pay more"
Netflix Inc., the company which has led the charge of video subscription services through online streaming and mailing DVDs, is drastically changing its pricing structure. In some cases, subscription rates will jump 60%, an unprecedented increase by the country’s largest company in this field. Formerly, Netflix allowed users to stream as many movies online as they wanted and rent one DVD at a time for $9.99 a month. However, now if subscribers want both options of streaming and rental, they will have to pay $15.98 a month, or choose just one at $7.99 a month. Reactions online to this news have been overwhelmingly negative. After all, the price hike would affect approximately 80% of those who currently use Netflix. User complaints range from the lack of a comprehensive online database to the fact that some DVDs are not available until about a month after their release date. Subscribers feel that this situation, coupled with the fact that an increase in price does not come with an increase in content or service, is not enough reason to keep paying for Netflix’s services. Studio executives, on the other hand, are pleased with the news, as this means more compensation for their content. How will this change affect Netflix’s finances? What other companies could benefit? Will you keep your Netflix subscription?
Guests:
Scott Stein, Senior Editor for CNET
Daniel Indiviglio, Associate Editor at The Atlantic, wrote the article “7 Reasons Why Netflix’s Price Hike is a Bonehead Move”
Reality TV polygamist sparks legal battle
Kody Brown might be one of the most famous polygamists in the country. As one of the stars of the show Sister Wives, he, his four wives and their sixteen children and stepchildren have been featured prominently on TVs across America. Now, Utah state officials are saying the family is under investigation for violating state polygamy laws. In response, the Browns, along with law professor Jonathan Turley, plan on filing a lawsuit to challenge the law. They contend that making polygamy illegal violates the 14th Amendment’s due process and equal protection clauses and the First Amendment’s clauses of free exercise, establishment, free speech and freedom of association. They build their case on the decision of Lawrence v. Texas, which took down sodomy laws and is often used as a legal basis for support of same-sex marriage. Browns and others like them feel that polygamous unions should be allowed for consenting adults. Opponents fear that allowing multiple marriages could have a profound negative effect on the raising of children, spousal relations and would require a complete restructuring of family law. Is polygamy too outdated for the modern age? Can adults be trusted to live as they desire? How would a change in marriage structure affect society and public policy?
Guests:
Lisa McElroy associate professor of Law, Drexel Universities Earle Mack School of Law; writes the Plain English column at SCOTUSblog.com
Bruce Fein, Constitutional Scholar; Former Associate Deputy Attorney General under Reagan; President of the American Freedom Agenda and author of American Empire: Before the Fall